Switch operating means for stand lamps



C. 14, i952 J G LAMBESIS 2,614,208

SWITCH OPERATING MEANS FOR STND LAMPS Filed Jan. 5, 1951 Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED STATES 2,614,208 f SWITCH oPERATrNG MEANS Fon sTANn LAM John G. Lambesis, Chicago, Ill. Application January 5, 1951, Serial No. 204,667

This invention relates to an electric switch and more particularly to an on-and-off switch for use in an electric lamp.

One feature of this invention is that it provides an electric switch having a large surface area to which pressure may be applied in order to operate the switch; another feature of this invention is that it provides an electric table or floor lamp having a switch conveniently located `in the base thereof; a further feature of this invention is that it provides a simple electric switch manual control that can be easily located in the dark, or with a minimum of attention as to its location.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specilication and the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partially in section, of a lamp having a control switch in the base thereof; and

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the movable member which operates the switch.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a lamp base IIJ has an onand-off switch II mounted thereon. The onand-ofr" switch II is preferably of the plunger or push button type readily available on the market wherein a spring biased plunger I2 may be pressed to close a circuit that is open and to open a circuit that is closed. Such switches have been known for many years and therefore the mechanism whereby the circuit is alternately opened and closed upon repeated depression of the same button will not be described here.

A movable member I3 is positioned in operative relationship with the plunger I2. The movable member I3 is preferably circular in configuration. but it is not necessary to have such configuration in order for the device to function satisfactorily. An ovular, square, or other shape, will function satisfactorily provided the device is designed to accommodate such construction.

In the embodiment shown, there are two members which can serve to retain the movable member I3 in position when the switch is not being operated. The preferable manner of retaining the member I3 is by a collar I4 positioned around the periphery of the base I0. The retainer I4 has a portion I4a curved inward to engage a flanged portion I3a comprising the perimeter of the movable member I3. However, a retaining plate I5 positioned above the base Ill is also suitable as a means for retaining the movable member I3 when the switch II is not being opers claims. (c1. 24o-123) v ated. The retainer I5 is maintained in position with respect to the base I0 by means of spacer collars I 6 and screws I1, the spacers serving to position the retainer I5 to the `proper height above the base I0 and the screws I'I serving to hold the retainer I5 against the spacers I6. The movable member I3 is biased against the retainer I5 or the portion I4a of retainer I4 by means of the coil spring I8 surrounding the plunger I2. One `of a pair of incoming wires I9 passes through the switch I I and it is the circuit of this wire which is opened or closed by movement of the plunger I2.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a lamp 2D is connected to the retainer I5 and the wires I9 are shown leading up through the central portion of the lamp 2B. While the switch is thus illustrated with reference to a lamp it should be understood that it may be applied to other types of electrical equipment.

It may be seen-that the movable member I3 is free to move up and down within the confines of oneof the retainers I4 and I5 and the limit of travel of the plunger I2. When a point on the lperipheral edge of the movable member I3 is pressed downward, the member will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position the center of the movable member I3 has pressed thev plunger I2 down sufficiently far to operate the switch II. As may be seen, the movable member I3 and the retainer I4 have cooperated to apply lever action to the plunger` I2. One peripheral edge of the movable member I3I has a downward force applied thereto and the opposite movable edge serves as a pivot or bearing surface for the lever action. It should be noted that the plunger I2 has travelled approximately half the distance travelled by the peripheral edge of the movable member I3 to which pressure has been applied.

The retainer I4 may be formed as part of the base I0, but this is not desirable where the member I4 is used as a retainer for the movable member I3 since the device is then difficult to take apart.

If the plate member I5 is used as a retainer for the movable member I3, the ange I3a may be omitted as well as the turned in portion I4a of the member I4. In this event if pressure is applied to one peripheral edge of the member I3 the peripheral edge of the member I5 opposite the point where pressure was applied to the member I3 will serve as the bearing or pivot surface for the other side of the movable member I3. When the plate I5 is used as the retainer the downward movement of the center of the movable member I3 will not be as great as would be the case in which the collar I4 is the retaining member. Consequently, the plunger I2 will have to be made more sensitive to movement of the member I3 where the member I'5 is used as the retainer. The plate member I5 may be irlcreased in diameter, but in this event the exposed surface of the member I3 will be diminished. Therefore, for most installations the collar member I4 will be the preferable retainer.

It should be noted that no matter what point of the exposed surface of the movable member I3 has pressure applied to it, the travel of the center of the movable member I3 will always be the same. Thus, it may be seen that this invention provides a, novel and simple means to control an electric grcuit and it oiers distinct advantages over an electric switch which is difficult of access when visibility is poor, or little attention is being given to the operation of the switch. The switch disclosed herein is particularly advantageous when applied to a lamp ,for use on a bedside table since it is a simple matter to nd the switch in the dark.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In an electric lamp: a base; aswitch mounteduon said base; a vertically disposed plunger for operating said switch; a horizontally disposed movable member positioned above said plunger, said plunger andsaid disk being substantially coaxial; a, ange on said disk; a collar -around the peripheral edge of said base, said collar having a top portion turned inward and engaging said flange; and means for biasing said movable member against said collar, said movable member having an exposed surface around the periphery thereof which may be depressed at any point whereby the point on the flange adjacent the opposite peripheral edge of said member engages the portion of the collar immediately adjacent thereto which serves as a pivot point therefor,

said disk member thereby acting as a lever to exert a ldownward force on said plunger.

2. In an electric lamp: a base; a switch mounted on said base; a vertically disposed plunger for operating said switch; a circular substantially fiat movable member coaxial with said plunger and positioned immediately above it; a retaining member positioned above said movable member; and spring means biasing said movable member against said retaining member, said retaining member being substantially concentric with said movable member and being smaller in area Whereby an annular portion of said movable member is exposed, said exposed portion being displaceable at all points whereby when pressure is applied to one point, a point on the upper surface of said movable member and diametrically opopposite the point where said force is applied pres-ses against said retaining member and force is exerted on said plunger to move it sufficiently to operate said switch.

3. In an electric lamp: a base; an on-and-oif switch mounted on said base; a spring biased plunger for operating said switch; a movable member horizontally disposed above said plunger. the center of said movable member being engageable with said plunger; spring means beween said base and said movable member, biasing said movable member upwardly; a retaining element overlying a substantially continuous portion of said movable member completely around the point of contact with said plunger, and leaving exposed a substantially continuous circumferential area thereof which may be depressed at any point, whereby a point on said movable member diametrically opposite the depressed point bears against the retaining member which serves as a pivot point therefor, said movable member thereby acting as a lever to exert a downward force on said plunger.

JOHN C'. 'LAMBESIS REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,102,224- Ruppel Dec. 14, 1937 2,459,898 Stiffel Jan. 25, 1949 

